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The BIS

3-17 Whitby Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7AD

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Access Guide

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Overview

  • About View
  • Parking and Public Transport View
  • Getting In and Around View
    • There is step-free access via slope at the most accessible entrance.
    • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
    • The following areas have stepped access: the toilet with adaptations at the front of the venue, unit 8 office space on the upper ground floor and access to the first and second floors at the front of the building.
    • Access throughout may include doors permanently held open and manual doors.
    • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed via a standard lift and stairs.
  • Getting Help and Assistance View
    • There is seating available.
    • There is no hearing assistance system.
    • There is a water bowl available for assistance dogs.
    • There is not a designated assistance dog spending area.
    • Additional facilities/services include: Wi-Fi.

Toilet and Changing Facilities

  • Toilet Facilities View
    • There are 3 toilets with adaptations.
    • Toilets with adaptations are located at the rear left of the venue and also on the upper first floor and first floor.
    • All toilets with adaptations have a left hand transfer space.
    • The shared step-free toilet facilities are located at the rear left of the venue and on the first floor.
    • The male and female step-free toilet facilities are located on the upper first floor to the right.
  • Washroom and Shower Facilities View
    • Standard shower facilities are located at the rear of the venue on the left.

Parking

  • Car Park View
    • The car park is located on Whitby Street at the rear of the venue.
    • The car park is open air/surface.
    • The car park surface consists of tarmac.
    • There is 1 designated Blue Badge parking bay available.
    • The Blue Badge bay is clearly marked.
    • The surveyed Blue Badge parking bay dimensions are 230cm (width) x 470cm (depth).
    • There is a marked zone to both sides and rear.
    • The width of the marked zone is 120cm.
    • The nearest designated bay is 32m from the entrance.
    • The most accessible route from the Blue Badge parking has step-free level access.
    • There is a dropped kerb without tactile paving from the designated Blue Badge parking.
  • Charges and Restrictions View
    • Parking is free for all users.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop-off point available.

Entrance

  • This entrance is located on Whitby Street at the front of the venue.
  • The approach to the entrance has bollards.
  • The entrance area is clearly signed.
  • There is not a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at the entrance.
  • There is step-free access via slope at the entrance.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.
  • There is an intercom at a height of 119cm.
  • There are double manual doors at this entrance.
  • The locked door can be opened on request.
  • The door opens towards you.
  • The width of the opening is 64cm.
  • There is a small lip on the threshold of the opening.
  • The doors have a high visual contrast.
  • There is a push pad or push button to exit at a height of 97cm.
  • There is step-free access via slope as you enter.
  • The slope has a slight gradient.

Reception

  • The reception is located on the right as you enter the venue.
  • The distance from the entrance is 3m.
  • There is step-free level access to reception.
  • The height of the reception desk is 88cm.
  • There is not a lowered section at the desk.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this area.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Getting Around

  • There is step-free level access throughout the majority of areas, this may include the use of a lift.
  • The following areas have stepped access: the toilet with adaptations at the front of the venue, unit 8 office space on the upper ground floor and access to the first and second floors at the front of the building.
  • Access throughout may include manual doors and doors permanently held open.
  • Some flooring is shiny.
  • There is a high visual contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
  • Some of the walls have a reflective finish.
  • There is background noise.
  • Wayfinding signage is not provided.
  • Seating available in the walkways includes: benches, armchairs and high stools.
  • Lighting levels vary due to the size of the space.

Room (Meeting Room 1)

  • The room is located to the left as you enter the venue.
  • The distance from the entrance is 7m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access.
  • There is numbered and written text signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 87cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs without armrests.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a water dispenser.
  • There is background noise in this area which varies depending on the function/event.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.
  • Meeting Room 2, next to this one is similar.

Room (Hot Desk Area)

  • The room is located ahead and to the left as you enter the venue.
  • The distance from the entrance is 15m.
  • The most accessible route to the room has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • There is written text and numbered signage on or near the door.
  • There is step-free level access into the room.
  • There is a single manual door with a low visual contrast.
  • The door opens away from you.
  • The width of the opening is 92cm.
  • There is step-free level access throughout the room.
  • There is room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
  • There is space for an assistance dog to rest.
  • Some flooring is patterned.
  • The walls and floor have a low visual contrast.
  • Seating available in the room includes: chairs with armrests, armchairs and sofas.
  • Furniture available in the room includes: desks and coffee tables.
  • The surface heights are suitable for wheelchair users.
  • The clear underside space of the surfaces is suitable for wheelchair users.
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Additional facilities/services include: a wash basin.
  • There is no (or very little) background noise in this room.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey, with unshaded light sources.

Standard Shower Facilities

  • The standard shower facilities surveyed are located at the rear of the venue on the left.
  • The distance from the entrance is 24m.
  • The most accessible route has manual doors, doors permanently held open and step-free level access.
  • There is step-free level access into the shower.
  • The door opens inwards and has a low visual contrast.
  • The width of the door opening is 76cm.
  • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
  • There is an adjustable shower head which can also be detached.
  • The shower controls are twist/turn.
  • There is no shower seat.
  • Additional features include: a full length mirror and coat hooks.
  • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.
  • There is stepped access into the cubicle.

Toilet with Adaptations (Left Hand Transfer)

  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet surveyed is located at the rear of the venue on the left.
    • The distance from the entrance is 22m.
    • The most accessible route to the toilet has doors permanently held open, manual doors and step-free level access.
    • There is step-free level access into the facility.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the door.
    • The door opens outwards and has a low visual contrast.
    • The width of the door opening is 87cm.
    • The door has a locking handle.
    • Internally the door has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a grab rail on the internal door with a low visual contrast.
  • Dimensions and Features View
    • The dimensions of the cubicle are 147cm (width) x 238cm (depth) and there is not room for a wheelchair user to manoeuvre (150cm x 150cm).
    • There is a lateral transfer space to the left as you face the toilet, however it is obstructed.
    • The lateral transfer space is 68cm (from the side of the toilet pan).
    • There is a spatula flush on the non-transfer side.
    • There is a horizontal grab rail on the non-transfer side.
    • The horizontal grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a vertical grab rail on the transfer side.
    • The vertical grab rail has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • The dropdown rail has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet seat is 48cm from the floor.
    • The toilet seat has a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted toilet roll holder which can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The toilet roll holder has a low visual contrast.
    • The toilet roll holder is 89cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin and taps can be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The wash basin is 72cm from the floor.
    • The wash basin has a lever mixer tap.
    • The vertical grab rails are on both sides of the wash basin.
    • The wash basin grab rails have a low visual contrast.
    • There is a wall mounted soap dispenser which cannot be reached when seated on the toilet.
    • The soap dispenser has a low visual contrast.
    • The soap dispenser is 92cm from the floor.
    • There is not a towel dispenser.
    • There is a wall mounted hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer has a high visual contrast.
    • The hand dryer is 107cm from the floor.
    • There is a pull cord emergency alarm within 10cm from the floor.
    • There is a full length mirror.
    • There is no shelf.
    • The cubicle has a sanitary bin.
    • There is one coat hook.
    • The coat hook is 139cm from the floor.
    • The walls and floor have a high visual contrast.
    • Lighting levels were even at the time of the survey.

Lift

  • The lift surveyed is located at the rear left of the venue.
  • The distance from the entrance is 18m.
  • The most accessible route to the lift has step-free level access and doors permanently held open.
  • The ground, first and second floors are accessed by this lift.
  • The lift door has a high visual contrast.
  • The lift has a level manoeuvring space in front of it for a wheelchair user (150cm x 150cm).
  • The external lift control buttons have a low visual contrast and tactile markings.
  • None of the external lift controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • The lift door opening width is 90cm.
  • The internal dimensions of the lift are 109cm (width) x 140cm (depth).
  • The internal lift control buttons have a high visual contrast, Braille markings and tactile markings.
  • The majority of the internal controls are at a suitable height for a wheelchair user.
  • Internally the lift has: a visual floor indicator, a mirror to aid reversing and an audible announcer.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.

Stairs

  • The stairs surveyed are located at the rear right of the venue.
  • The ground, first and second floors can be accessed by these stairs.
  • There are 20 steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked and have a handrail on the right going up.
  • The handrail is easy to grip.
  • The handrail covers the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • The handrail extends horizontally beyond the first and last step.
  • The height of the steps is between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the highest step is 16cm.
  • The depth of the steps is not between 30cm and 45cm.
  • Lighting levels were low at the time of the survey.